TheHitchhikers GuideTo The Galaxy

Earth Edition

Dorset entries

I live in Beaminster, mentioned on the original article. I suspect that the "Bemster" pronunciation is a bit misleading. William Barnes pronounced it that way and I once heard an inebriated farmer refer to it likewise, but you'll find the residents call it "Bemminster".

Other oddities in West Dorset include Chideock ("Chidduck") and Eype ("Eep") in addition to the previously cited Puncknowle ("Punnel").

Just across the border into Somerset, the jury is still out over Crewkerne (Shrewsbury Syndrome). Some have it as written (stress on the last syllable), while some pronounce it "Crook-un" (stress on the first syllable).

Dorset entries

Not forgetting 'Iwerne Minster', prounounced 'Yew-earn' or 'Ewe-earn'. Probably means the 'yew tree stream', though I have also been told it's Old Saxon for 'the gravelly stream'. Gave the Estate Agents the opportunity to be very sniffy about the ignorant incomer when we first moved to Dorset ...

Named from the River Iwerne, a Celtic river-name possibly meaning ‘yew river’ or referring to a goddess. Distinguishing affixes from the Courtenay family, here in the 13th cent., and from OE mynster ‘church of a monastery’ in allusion to early possession by Shaftesbury Abbey. Shroton means ‘sheriff's estate’, OE scr-rfa + tn. ***

So, 'yew tree stream' sounds about right. I didn't know estate agents were such scholars of old Saxon - anything if it hikes up the asking price, I suppose.

Dorset entries

I grew up in the village adjoining Crewkerne, and locally it was always pronounced CROOK-urn (not CROOK-un - we always pronounce our R's in Somerset). It seems only people wishing to sound posh, or who don't know the area, say crew-KERNE. And I've never heard Beaminster pronounced Bemster.

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